[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 246 (Friday, December 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76323-76325]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-7773]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of the Draft Comprehensive Conservation
Plan and Environmental Assessment for Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge,
Maxwell, NM
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that a
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment
(Draft CCP/EA) for the Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge is available
for review and comment. This Draft CCP/EA was prepared pursuant to the
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended
by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee et seq), and the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370d). It describes how the Service intends to
manage the refuge over the next 15 years. Compatibility determinations
for several existing uses (farming, sport fishing, wildlife
observation, photography,
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environmental education and interpretation) were re-evaluated, and are
included in the draft plan. In addition, draft compatibility
determinations for two new proposed uses (grazing and hunting) are also
available for review and comment in the Draft CCP/EA.
DATES: Written comments must be received at the address below by
February 21, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Carol Torrez, Biologist/Natural Resource
Planner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque,
New Mexico, 87103-1306, Telephone: (505) 248-6821, Fax: (505) 248-6874.
Comments may also be submitted via electronic mail to: [email protected].
The draft CCP/EA is available on compact diskette or hard copy, and
may be obtained by writing, telephoning, faxing, or e-mailing Carol
Torrez at the above listed address. The draft CCP/EA will also be
available for viewing and downloading online at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/plan/index.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Torrez, Biologist/Natural
Resource Planner, 505-248-6821 or Patty Hoban, Refuge Manager, 505-375-
2331.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee et seq) requires
the Service to develop a CCP for each National Wildlife Refuge. The
purpose in developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-
year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the
mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound
principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal
mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad
management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, the CCP
identifies wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to
the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife
observation and photography, and environmental education and
interpretation. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15
years in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997, and the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969.
Background
The Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge was established on August 24,
1965 by the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C.
712d) ``* * * for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or any other
management purpose, for migratory birds.'' Located in northeast New
Mexico, the 3,699 acre Refuge is comprised of 2,300 acres of grassland,
907 acres of lakes (which are leased from Vermejo Conservancy
District), 50 acres of wetlands, 39 acres of woodlots, 440 acres of
croplands, several miles of irrigation canals, and approximately 10
acres of administrative lands. Most of the area was utilized for
grazing and farming prior to acquisition. Current management efforts
focus on farming to provide food for migrating and wintering waterfowl,
maintaining biological diversity, preserving native grasslands and
managing public use.
The Draft CCP/EA addresses a range of topics including habitat and
wildlife management, public use opportunities, invasive species
control, and administration and staffing for the refuge. Three
alternatives for managing the refuge are proposed and evaluated in the
EA. Each alternative describes a combination of habitat and public use
management actions designed to achieve the refuge purposes, goals, and
vision. The Service prefers Alternative B because it best achieves
refuge purposes, vision, and goals; contributes to the Refuge System
mission; addresses relevant issues and mandates; and is consistent with
the principles of sound fish and wildlife management. The alternatives
are briefly described below.
Alternative A is `no action' or continuance of current management.
Under this alternative, management efforts would continue to focus on
farming, invasive species control, and preservation of native
grasslands. The public use program would remain at current levels, with
fishing and wildlife observation being the main focus. Environmental
education and interpretation would be accommodated on a case-by-case
basis. No new recreational/hunting opportunities or facilities would be
developed on the refuge. Refuge management programs would continue to
be developed and implemented with little baseline biological
information.
Alternative B is the proposed action. This alternative would
implement a variety of habitat management techniques (prescribed
burning, experimental grazing, and mechanical and chemical invasive
species control methods) to encourage ecological integrity, promote
native prairie restoration, control invasive plant species, and
provide/enhance habitat for grassland birds and other resident
wildlife. The farming program would continue to be emphasized.
Inventory, monitoring, and research would increase. The public use
program would increase and/or enhance educational and outreach
activities, recreational opportunities (including continued fishing,
wildlife observation, photography and consideration of hunting
opportunities), community involvement, and facilities.
Alternative C proposes to manage Maxwell NWR as part of a complex
with Las Vegas NWR and turn all farming efforts over to cooperative
farmers. By transferring all farming activities to cooperative farmers
and combining both refuge staffs, more time would potentially be made
available for native grassland restoration, invasive species control,
and maintenance of natural diversity. The prescribed fire program and
comprehensive habitat monitoring and evaluation would be emphasized.
The public use program would be similar to Alternative B.
None of the alternatives propose any acquisition or refuge boundary
expansion.
Public Involvement
The draft CCP/EA is available for public review and comment for a
period of 60 days. Copies of the document can be obtained as indicated
in the ADDRESSES section. In addition, documents will be available for
public inspection during normal business hours (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) at
the Maxwell NWR Headquarters Office, 2 miles northwest of the town of
Maxwell, New Mexico off I-25, and at the following libraries:
Fred Macaron Library, 600 Colbert Avenue, Springer, NM
Cimmaron Public Library, 356D E. 9th St., Cimmaron, NM
City of Raton Library, 244 Cook Avenue, Raton, NM
An open house/public meeting will be held at the Maxwell NWR
Headquarters to receive comments on the Draft CCP/EA during the open
comment period on January 25, 2006 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Special
mailings, newspaper articles, and/or other media announcements will be
used to inform the public of the date and time of the meeting.
Public comments are requested, considered, and incorporated
throughout the planning process. After the review and comment period
ends for this draft CCP/EA, comments will be analyzed by the Service
and addressed in the Final CCP. All comments
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received from individuals, including names and addresses, become part
of the official public record. Requests for such comments will be
handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act and the
Council on Environmental Quality's NEPA regulations [40 CFR 1506.6
(f)], and other Service and Departmental policies and procedures.
Dated: October 11, 2005.
Geoffrey L. Haskett,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque,
New Mexico.
[FR Doc. E5-7773 Filed 12-22-05; 8:45 am]
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